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Summer is fast approaching. Where are you going to spend your vacation? How about visiting one of our country's many fantastic beach locations? Bring your lover or family, a bathing suit, sun lotion, a blanket and a picnic basket, and you are all set for a romantic get-away or a relaxing family get-together on one of these magnificent sandy stretches.
Delray Beach, Florida
Delray boasts a great family-friendly stretch of sand, with youngsters playing Frisbee games and teens surfing the waves. Enjoy the well-preserved dunes and the warm, snow-white sand and comforting turquoise water. After a day on the beach, take a stroll in the European-style town and dine at the sidewalk bistros.
Mexico Beach, Florida
Mexico Beach is located on Florida's panhandle near St. Joseph Bay and Cape San Blas on the Gulf of Mexico about 30 miles east of Panama City. This secret, romantic location is still mostly free of the crowds because it is exceedingly hard to get to. Enjoy long stretches of rosy-white sand and crystal blue water.
Kauapea Beach, Hawaii
Kauapea Beach is the most spectacular of all beaches in Hawaii and also one well-known for nudists. The cliffs and plantation in the background are stunning, and the beach is covered with pinkish-yellowish sand, stretching into warm cuddling bluish-greenish water. Though nudity is illegal on all beaches in Hawaii, the laws are rarely enforced. To get there you need to hike down a dirt road and then down a narrow trail from Kalihiwai Road, just about half a mile North of Kilauea on Rt. 56. Consummate your relationship in the most ravishing and breathtaking scenery in the US.
Ocracoke Island Beach, North Carolina
You will need to take a ferry boat from Hatteras Island to get there, unless you own a private helicopter. The degree of isolation afforded by Ocracoke is a big part of its appeal. There is an aura of natural beauty surrounding Ocracoke Island, which features miles of silvery sand and surf that have been well protected.
Wildcat Beach, California
Wildcat Beach is located 30 minutes from San Francisco. A 5-minute hike is all that's required to reach this sandy gem. Take a soothing stroll hand-in-hand bare-footed on long stretches of ivory sand facing a turquoise and tranquil Pacific Ocean.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is located on the central east coast of Florida, south on I-95. Enjoy long stretches of white sand, free of the crowds and noise. This is probably also one of the least polluted beaches in Florida. Perfect for a romantic getaway, pre-baby furlough or fertility vacation.
Poipu Beach, Hawaii
Say "aloha" to paradise at beautiful Poipu Beach on the South shore of Kauai. This island retreat gets the vote for best exotic getaway in the U.S. White sand beaches are decorated with enough lush tropical foliage to make Jimmy Buffet jealous. Visitors often find themselves overwhelmed by the beach's wealth of activities, many of which include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, surfing, deep-sea fishing and horseback riding.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Sanibel Island is located just off the mainland of Florida's west coast. Though tourism has increased in recent years, Sanibel still retains much of its natural appeal. Green palm trees set a background for the pristine white sand of Sanibel – all of which is complimented by the crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For beach-goers who want to do more than soak up the sun, a variety of activities including golf, tennis, shopping and boating are available to islanders.
South Padre Island, Texas
If you are like most, when you think Texas, the beach is not the first thing to come to mind. However, the Lone Star State is more than just cowboy hats and barbecue. South Padre Island is a stretch of land near Corpus Christi that draws thousands of visitors every year. With a beachside waterpark, parasailing, resort accommodations and enough sandy coastline to last for days, the beaches of South Padre make for an ideal weekend vacay.
Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island is a SoCal dream. Known as "the island of romance," honeymooners are swept away by the privacy and romance that Catalina offers. Luxurious resorts with ocean-view suites are scattered throughout the island's shores. Some resorts offer access to champagne, strawberries, chocolates, spa services and even glass-bottom boat tours. Whales and dolphins are no strangers to the area, and couples can view marine wildlife at its best on one of Catalina's underwater sea excursions via semi-submersible submarine. After a long day at the beach, relax with an intimate couple's massage or an evening bike ride on a bicycle built for two.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Beach season in Maine may be fleeting, but award-winning Old Orchard Beach in Maine has families visiting its shores year-round. The area has a distinct community atmosphere that seems to make time slow down. A traditional pier darts into the waters where families can peruse shops and eat seafood at seaside restaurants. At the center of it all is Palace Playland, a beach side amusement park popular with the kids. Seven miles of white sand exude Old Orchard's 200 year history as one of the top beaches in Maine.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Travel to the northwestern corner of the U.S. and visit Cannon Beach, Oregon, a serene encounter with nature and the arts. The premier attraction is Haystack Rock which is said to be the third largest monolith in the world. Towering a staggering 235 feet high, more than 2,000 birds nest on the rock and large amount of delicate sea life resides below it. The beaches here are unusually wide and stretch a lengthy nine miles. Beach comers can browse through the shops that line the beach and select souvenirs amongst an endless supply of homemade crafts and works of art.
Malibu Beach, California
If you are looking for the beach to see and be seen, look no further than Malibu Beach. One of the most popular beaches in the world, Malibu Beach draws even the biggest celebrities to its vigorously maintained coastline. The likes of David Letterman, Tom Hanks and Demi Moore are known to have called Malibu home in addition to many others. The beaches of Malibu are great for morning runs, family picnics and intimate seaside gatherings, and getting a glimpse of your favorite silver screen actor is a welcome bonus.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach, or PCB as the locals call it, is a descended upon by thousands of college students looking to make the most of their spring break vacations each year. Keg parties and white t-contests rule the day, and bars, nightclubs and restaurants offer a variety of entertainment when the sun goes down. It is not unusual to encounter film crews from networks such as MTV looking to promote spring break programming. Though the beach is popular with families year-round, you may want to avoid bringing the kids along during spring break.
Galveston Beach, Texas
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the gulf coast allows for the best shell collecting in all of North America. Galveston Beach, which is already popular with tourists due to its large indoor waterpark and Moody Gardens, offers premier shelling – especially when windy cool fronts from the North push the waters back, revealing an abundance of natural shells ripe for the picking. Children and parents alike will love scouring the shores for these tiny treasures.
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Snorkeling is perhaps the most popular water sport because it requires virtually no skill and minimal physical requirements. Biscayne National Park in southern Florida is home to the best snorkeling in the U.S. Snorkelers observe entire underwater ecosystems, coral reefs, pirate shipwrecks and colorful marine wildlife. Unlike most national parks, Biscayne is 95 percent underwater and is highly preserved due to the government's stringent protection of the park.
Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
Hanalei Bay's location is somewhat off the beaten path of the Hawaiian islands. Yet this beach offers vacation seekers adventure within a wide-assortment of activities including surfing, canoe rides, stand-up paddle and surfboard rentals. Lined with palm trees, and covered with white sands. This beach sits between a backdrop of stunning waterfalls and green mountains which stretch across the sky-line of Hanalei Bay. The 2-mile coast is home to spectacular plant and animal life, and gets more rain than any other Hawaiian island.
Siesta Beach, Florida
Consistently rated as a top 10 beach in the USA, Siesta Beach holds some of the finest, whitest sand in the world. Soft to the touch, these unpolluted sands are a tourists delight, as the county of Sarasota takes extra care in making sure the sands stay clean. Off shore, there are amazing coral reefs, supply recreational opportunities, for snorkelers including unique underwater formations. Siesta Beach, attract snorkelers and scuba divers as the warm crystal clean water is ideal for swimming. The beaches extra wide shore is ideal for sports and fun activities.
Cooper's Beach, New York
New York, Cooper's Beach is surrounded by large sand dunes, dotted with long beach grass. The beach sand is made of grainy white-quartz sand, (dark brown in color). What makes Cooper's Beach particularly special is the view – when night comes, the moon shines off the water and is very romantic.
Coronado Beach, California
Coronado Beach has lush subtropical vegetation, a Mediterranean climate, and a warm and mild surf. The Hotel de Coronado, a local landmark, was built more than a hundred years ago. This timeless treasure offers "spectacular" architecture. Coronado Beach's sunsets are truly spiritual, when viewing the San Diego shore-line. Seeing the sunshine collide with ocean, is so amazing. The climate is warm and the air is truly freshening.
Hamoa Beach, Hawaii
Who could turn down a beach once frequented by writer Ernest Hemingway? Ranked as one of the world's best beaches, Hamoa Beach includes a coral-and-lava-sand shore, rimmed by tall cliffs. Hamoa Beach is covered with coconut palms and "beautiful" flowering vegetation. The beach has unbelievable waves, which attract thrill seeker surfers, from around the world.
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
If you want to see what a beach looked like when the native Americans inhabited the region, Cape Hatteras is the place. With its historic fishing villages and some of the best surfing along the East Coast. Cape Hatteras was the first U.S. National Seashore, designated as coastal areas for preservation. Make sure you bring insect repellent the sand fleas and mosquitoes are ferocious. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse, is the most famous lighthouse in the country. The lighthouse has 257 steps and is 210 feet tall.
Cape Florida State Park, Florida
A large offshore sand shoal makes the emerald-colored waters off Cape Florida State Park ideal for swimming, humans, and sea life. You can watch –sea turtles, swimming near the shore. The Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breathtaking view of this beautiful beach. There are coral reefs, which divers can explore year around. The beach has a romantic, appeal and allows lovers to go on sunset strolls.
Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
Accessible only by bike or shuttle bus. Coast Guard Beach of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has a ponderous view and soft sand that slopes down to the water's edge. If you visitor, swimming is only feasible during the summer. Water temperatures get no warmer than 65 to 70 degrees. Coast Guard Beach is named, after the old Coast Guard station, it offers an astonishing, view of the bay.
Beachwalker Park, South Carolina
Beachwalker Park is a public beach with an abundance of recreational resources. Visitors can canoe and kayak through the tidal inlets. The beach is home to thousands of birds. Individuals can walk along the compact sand of the 10-mile barrier island. Those who love fishing can catch amazing shrimp, big enough to eat and even large eatable game fish, frequent the shore-line. The sun is heavy and the surf is smooth and calming. At night, walking the beach, stir at the moonlight and share an unique experience where phytoplankton, luminosities the sand.
Assateague National Seashore, Virginia
Four wheelers and surf fishermen can ride side by side with the famous wild horses. Like other Atlantic beaches, the surf is kind to swimmers. Maryland's Ocean City is a short drive to the North for plenty of food and fun for adults and kids.
East Atlantic Beach, New York
Like many overlooked Atlantic beaches, "EAB" is vast and wide. Weekdays are quiet, giving this expansive stretch an exclusive vibe. The neighboring "West End" rocks with restaurants and bars that feature cold drinks, hot crowds and great live music. Less than an hour from New York City as well.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
This South Florida spot is the perfect "grab a book" escape. Somehow the water at Deerfield Beach manages to be a perfect 78 degrees. Great cocktails (and shrimp cocktail) at one of the little food shacks that line the boardwalk. You can also rent a bike to cruise A1A and check out the trendy scene in nearby Delray.
Andrew Molera State Park, California
Right off the breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway. Set up camp, then hike dense trails that lead to the dramatic bluffs and cul de sacs of this Northern California coastal gem. Wildlife (deer, seals, sea turtles) can all be seen in abundance either at sunrise or sunset.
Ditch Plains, New York
Low key and hassle-free, Ditch Plains, located on the far Eastern tip of Long Island, is literally "The End." The local beaches are home to world-class east coast surfing and Hamptons celebrities galore. Paul McCartney's a regular, but only because no one bothers him. One of the best food trucks in the country holds court in the parking lot.
Hailewa Beach, Hawaii
Hale'iwa Beach is one of Hawaii's great surfing Meccas. In winter, be awed as the pros and hardcore locals take on the 50-70 footers (The ground literally shakes when the waves hit the beach). The rest of the year is safe for swimming, kayaking and snorkeling. The perfect blue water and crystal white sand are true paradise.
Sea View Beach, Massachusetts
Sea View Beach is another lesser known Atlantic Coast gem. Wide and quiet with gorgeous bluffs. Legendary surf fishing and pods of dolphin are a normal occurrence. The expansive quietude makes this spot quintessential Cape Cod. Great shopping and eating on adjacent Route 28.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia is among the East Coast's more popular national parks, but the beaches are underrated and transcendent. Rugged hikes spill out onto the most Northeastern point in the United States. The town of Arcadia Bar Harbor is authentic and bustling with great food and nightlife.
South Beach, Florida
South Beach is probably the only" mega-star" on our list. Crank up Pet Sounds, slip on the shades, take the top down on Collins Ave. and let the rest speak for itself. You've arrived.
Oval Beach, Michigan
The Atlantic and Pacific Coast beaches of America usually get all the love, but the state of Michigan boasts some of the longest stretches of prime beach you'll find anywhere in America. Head for the state's Western shore bordering Lake Michigan where you'll find lovely beach gems like Saugatuck Michigan's Oval Beach. Not only is this beach consistently named among America's best, the lovely sand dunes and beautiful sunsets will have you in beach heaven. Midwest beach lovers represent!
[Photo: Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts. Jones Beach Caddie/Flickr]


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Herpes Infected Humans Before They Were Human
The virus originated in chimpanzees, jumping into humans 1.6 million years ago
Published Date
- Scott LaFee
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Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the evolutionary origins of human herpes simplex virus (HSV) -1 and -2, reporting that the former infected hominids before their evolutionary split from chimpanzees 6 million years ago while the latter jumped from ancient chimpanzees to ancestors of modern humans – Homo erectus – approximately 1.6 million years ago.
The findings are published in the June 10 online issue of Molecular Biology and Evolution.
"The results help us to better understand how these viruses evolved and found their way into humans," said Joel O. Wertheim, PhD, assistant research scientist at the UC San Diego AntiViral Research Center and lead author of the study. "Animal disease reservoirs are extremely important for global public health. Understanding where our viruses come from will help guide us in preventing future viruses from making the jump into humans."
Approximately two-thirds of the human population is infected with at least one herpes simplex virus. The viruses are most commonly presented as cold sores on the mouth or lips or blisters on the genitals.
"Humans are the only primates we know of that have two herpes simplex viruses," said Wertheim. "We wanted to determine why."
The researchers compared the HSV-1 and HSV-2 gene sequences to the family tree of simplex viruses from eight monkey and ape host species. Using advanced models of molecular evolution, the scientists were able to more accurately estimate ancient viral divergence times. This approach allowed them to determine when HSV-1 and HSV-2 were introduced into humans with far more precision than standard models that do not account for natural selection over the course of viral evolution.
The genetics of human and primate herpes viruses were examined to assess their similarity. It became clear that HSV-1 has been present in humans far longer than HSV-2, prompting the researchers to further investigate the origins of HSV-2 in humans.
The viral family tree showed that HSV-2 was far more genetically similar to the herpes virus found in chimpanzees. This level of divergence indicated that humans must have acquired HSV-2 from an ancestor of modern chimpanzees about 1.6 million years ago, prior to the rise of modern humans roughly 200,000 years ago.
"Comparing virus gene sequences gives us insight into viral pathogens that have been infecting us since before we were humans," said Wertheim.
Co-authors include Martin D. Smith and Sergei L. Kosakovsky Pond, UC San Diego; Davey M. Smith, UC San Diego and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System; Konrad Scheffler, UC San Diego and Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Funding for this research came from the University of California Laboratory Fees Research Program (grant 12-LR-236617), the National Institutes of Health (grants DA034978 and GM093939), the Bioinformatics and Information Technologies Core of the UC San Diego Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI036214), and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Yokowo's new two piece battery connector allows both horizontal and vertical blade insertion, as well as increased flexibility in designs. For reliability, the receptacle side features dual beam contact in both insertion directions. Two tabs are uniquely fitted on the receptacle to provide a secure grip around the blade upon insertion. Biaxial torsion and a floating function absorb the battery gap, and reduce the risk of intermittent power outages (even if the device is dropped).
The two-piece battery connector is ideal for use in devices where uninterrupted power is critical, including but not limited to data collection terminals, medical equipment, military devices, aerospace equipment, and devices that operate in harsh environments. A high current rating of up to 3A per blade makes the Yokowo connector suitable for a wide range of applications.
The two piece battery connector features a 30m? maximum (initial) contact resistance, operating temperatures ranging from -40ºC to +85ºC, voltage of 12V AC/DC and operational durability of 2,000 cycles. The blade is 11.5mm (H) x 5.4mm (W) x 18mm (L) and the receptacle is 9.1mm (H) x 5.5mm (W) x 19.1mm (L). Each blade consists of six contacts with a 3mm pitch.


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Sitting in the imposing shadow of Table Mountain, the city of Cape Town is a must for anyone visiting South Africa in the hope of doing something adventurous. Aside from climbing Table Mountain, visitors to the country's second largest city can also go surfing, swimming with dolphins or head to the nearby Cape Winelands and sample some of the world-famous wine there. With a history spanning thousands of years, it's a city where old and new fuse together to provide an unbeatable experience for visitors. From the Cape of Good Hope to the city's heart, you're sure to enjoy it. The local climate helps too, where temperatures reach an average high of 26°C in February and rarely dip below the late teens during the daytime.
Ideal car
As the roads in and around Cape Town are in good condition, a family car would be ideal. They're also good for driving on the freeways, which are integral to the city's road network.
Driving in Cape Town
Road Driving Side: L
Urban Speed Limit: 37mph
Rural Speed Limit: 62mph
Motorway Speed Limit: 74mph
Driving in Cape Town
Road Driving Side
Urban Speed Limit
Rural Speed Limit
Motorway Speed Limit
Important things to note
When going to a petrol station, you must wait in your car until a member of staff on the forecourt comes over to you and ask what fuel your car needs.
Drivers in Cape Town are known for being a little more friendly and cautious than their counterparts in other major South African cities.
There are visitor centres on Table Mountain, in the city centre and other major areas of Cape Town including Somerset West, Kirstenbosch and the Canal Walk Shopping Centre.
Ideal car: Family
As the roads in and around Cape Town are in good condition, a family car would be ideal. They're also good for driving on the freeways, which are integral to the city's road network.
Highlights & Hotspots
The South African National Gallery on Government Avenue, Gardens, is home to works from local artists. There are also plenty of exhibitions revolving around the Apartheid era and the history of censorship in South Africa.
Robben Island, the former Apartheid-era prison where former President Nelson Mandela was kept locked away for year after year, plays host to tours of the site. Here, you get to see Mr Mandela's former prison cell as well as learn what life was like for political prisoners.
The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on Rhodes Drive, Newlands, is a great place to visit if you want to see flora from all over the world. As well as being able to see plants such as a baobab tree, the Gardens also stage open-air concerts all year round.
The Two Oceans Aquarium, on the V&A Waterfront, is a great place to take the kids. At the aquarium, you can go scuba diving or, if with the family, take your kids to see the sharks being fed or see what events they have organised every month.
Airport Information
Cape Town International Airport is 12 miles away from the city centre, but it's pretty easy to access if heading to the city itself. It's accessible from the N2 Freeway via Airport Approach Road, while the R300 is another route from which you can go via the M12, M10 and M22.
The airport itself has one main terminal building and has flights to major cities including London (Heathrow), Dubai and Amsterdam as well as cities across southern Africa. Departures are located in the upper floors of the terminal, while arrivals are at the lower floors.


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Martian Water
The presence of water near the surface of Mars, or lack of water, is a big factor in determining the climate of Mars, and the suitability of Mars to support life. Finding out what has happened to the water of Mars is a big question scientists would like to answer.
Evidence for running water, including river channels such as those shown here can be seen on the surface of Mars, and there are frozen, icy polar caps, but there is no running water present today. The atmosphere of Mars seems to contain water. There are clouds and fog. These features suggest that there was water present near the surface at some time in the Martian past, and that water still cycles between reservoirs in the ground and atmosphere today.
Unlike other planets such as Mercury, it is difficult to lose water from the atmosphere of Mars into space. Therefore much of the water Mars started with is still there. Mars is much smaller than the Earth, and Mars is farther from the sun that either the Earth or Venus. These facts mean that the surface of Mars cooled off more rapidly than the other two planets. In fact, recent measurements of the Martian surface show just how cold it can be. Because Mars is colder, it fits what some scientists call the "Goldilocks" phenomenon.
On a cold planet, frozen water can be trapped within the ground. This ground water can be released however when Mars experiences a warming change in climate. Future exploration of Mars will be directed at answering questions about what is the possible Martian water cycle, ie. what has happened and what does happen to the Martian water. Answers to these questions will help scientists better understand the Martian climate history.


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Camp Cuisine
Camp Cuisine - Camping Recipes
Inspire your inner camp chef with recipes for camping trips. It doesn't matter if it's shared around a campfire, cooked in your RV's gourmet kitchen, or take-out from the local deli, food just tastes better on a camping vacation!
Find and share more great camping recipes at CampingCafe.com
Camping Recipes | Favorite Meals for Camping with Kids
Recipes for Kid Friendly Camping Meals
This week in celebration of the beginning of spring and the fun of spring break for kids across the country, here are two classic kids favorite recipes.
- Category: Camp Cuisine
Read more: Camping Recipes | Favorite Meals for Camping with Kids
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- Camping Recipe | Seafood with Florida Mustard Sauce
- Camping Recipe | Grilled Seafood Skewers
- Camping Recipe | Ronald Reagan Monkey Bars
- Camping Recipes | Chocolate Truffles
- Camping Recipes | Denver Omelette Recipes
- Camping Recipes | Meatless Mondays
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- Camping Recipes | Spanish Stew
- Camping Recipes | Orange Chicken
- Camping Recipes | Turkey Left-overs
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- Camping Recipes | Squash Recipes
- Recipes | Independence Day Recipes
- Camping Recipes | Potato Leek Soup, Roast Chicken and Apple Dumplings
- Camping Recipes | Buffalo Burgers and Huckleberry Milkshakes
- Camping Recipes | Throw a Pirate Party
- Back-To-School BBQ
- Camping Recipes | St. Paddy's Day Menu
- Camping Recipes | Grilled Steak and Fresh Vegetables
- Kid Approved Campfire Recipes
- Camping Recipes | Best Ever Roast Beef Recipe
- Father's Day Breakfast Recipes
- Easy Summer Suppers | Tacos and Mojitos
- Banana Leaf Pork Barbeque Recipe
- Throw a Kentucky Derby Party
- Budget Friendly Dinners
- Recipes For Diner Favorites
- Saint Patrick's Day Party Recipes
- Easy Scone Recipe
- Southwest Sauce Recipes
- Recipes for Easy Camping Desserts
- Camping Recipes | Easter Recipes
- Great Guacamole
- Savory Stew
- Camping Recipes | Holiday Cookies
- Breakfast for Dinner
- Making Apple Cider
- Cool Drinks
- Artichokes
- Favorite Cookies
- Best Potato Salad
- Homemade Fair Food
- The Perfect Picnic
- Sandwiches
- Camp Style Apple Pie
- Salsa
- Tex-Mex Cooking
- Grilled Salmon
- Make Your Own GORP
- Kid-Friendly Breakfasts


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We just got word that our Nick Burroughs has been named one of only three finalists world-wide for Best Male Performer!
The honor comes from the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA), the huge trade organization we've belonged to for decades.
Nick spent the summer wow-ing audiences in our high-energy Vinyl Daze show, produced by Matt Davenport Productions.
Our Director of Entertainment, Sandi Fortune, is a big fan, "Nick Burroughs is one of the most genuine and real people I have ever met. He is one of those people whom you really want to be a star. He is so worthy of this honor. I cannot even explain how talented he is."
Here's just a moment of Nick's award-winning talent:
The winner will be chosen from the three finalists (Michael Stiggers from Hersheypark and Peter Vawter from Universal Studios Japan are the other two) on November 14. Good luck, Nick!


text: There are hundreds of thousands of WordPress themes floating around and a whole cottage industry built on theme selling. This presentation is about how to evaluate a premium WordPress theme and what to look for when shopping for a theme. This presentation focuses on tradition themes and will not go into detail on frameworks such as Headway, Thesis, etc. The presentation assumes participants are fairly new to WordPress.


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Nerino J. Petro Jr.
Malpractice is one of a lawyer's everyday worries. Failing to communicate regularly with clients, missing court dates or statutes of limitation, and failing to identify conflicts of interest are only a few of the malpractice dangers Wisconsin lawyers face. Malpractice insurance (also known as professional liability insurance) is an insurance policy that lawyers purchase to defend against and provide coverage for malpractice claims brought by clients and some third parties that may have standing under case law or statute. As described in the definition below, malpractice is when a lawyer has "screwed up" (or so a party may claim).
Malpractice: The delivery of substandard care or services by a lawyer, doctor, dentist, accountant or other professional. Generally, malpractice occurs when a professional fails to provide the quality of care that should reasonably be expected in the circumstances, with the result that her patient or client is harmed. In the area of legal malpractice, you need to prove two things to show that you were harmed: first, that your lawyer screwed up; and second, that if the lawyer had handled the work properly, you would have won your original case.
www.NoloPress.com Everybody's Legal Glossary
Malpractice insurance usually provides for defense of any claim and payment of claims up to the limit of the policy. Many malpractice insurance providers also provide resources, articles, forms, and even continuing legal education to help their customers manage malpractice risks. While malpractice insurance is not required, the State Bar's Practice411™ considers maintaining malpractice insurance to be a "best practice": it shows that you are serious about protecting your client's interests if you make a mistake, rising to the level of malpractice, that cannot otherwise be corrected.
Nerino J. Petro Jr., Northern Illinois 1988, is the advisor to the State Bar of Wisconsin Law Office Management Assistance Program (Practice411™). Joe McCarthy, vice president of underwriting, WILMIC, contributed to this article.
Malpractice insurance policies are "claims made" policies: these types of policies protect you for wrongful acts that occur and are reported to your malpractice insurance provider during the period that the malpractice policy is in continuous force, as well as any acts that first occurred during a retroactive or extended reporting period provided for in the policy itself. For example, if your policy is in effect for 2013 and has a retroactive date of June 1, 2011, if a claim is made in 2013 for a malpractice that occurred in March 2012, your current policy provider for 2013 will defend you (assuming the claim does not fall within one of the policy exclusions). If the claim is for malpractice that first occurred in May 2011, your current provider will not defend you because the malpractice occurred outside of the retroactive or extended reporting period.
Claims made policies differ from occurrence-based insurance policies for commercial or personal liability and casualty policies. Under occurrence-based policies, you submit the claim to the insurance provider in place on the date of the injury. That is, if the act occurred in 2001, you would look to the insurance provider that provided coverage for you in 2001, not 2013.
Your malpractice insurance premium may be based on several factors, including how many lawyers are in your firm and how many of them will be insured; how many years you have been practicing law; the amount of coverage you are seeking and the annual deductible amount you request; whether you have systems in place to minimize potential malpractice risk; and any recent claims.
Premiums may also be influenced by the areas of practice in which you are involved. Some areas of practice are subject to a higher risk of claims, either in frequency or in severity. The corresponding premium to cover those areas may be higher as a result. Finally, some carriers charge lower premiums for a part-time practice than for a full-time practice. The economic impact may be significant, particularly for those lawyers just starting up a new practice. It would be great to open a new practice and to immediately be working "full time." However, it's more likely that a new practice requires time for administrative, marketing, and other business activities that take away from the amount of time actually spent practicing law. A few insurance companies take this into consideration and will rate the practice as part time.
What's on your mind? Email your "101" topic ideas to email@example.com or post a comment at the end of this article.
The cost of malpractice insurance increases over time. When you first start practicing, there is little risk because you have no clients from the past that could potentially discover malpractice and file suit. However, this changes as you build your practice and gain more clients. The likelihood of a claim being made at the time of representation is small; it's after the end of the representation and time passes that the likelihood of a claim increases. So, generally speaking, your insurance premium will increase each year for the first five years because of the additional potential exposure. As an example, Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co. (WILMIC) uses five years as the general set point for flattening out increases in its policies as each additional year increases the risk of a claim being made. Any risk from year one is added to year two and then year three, and so on. The more cases or files you have, the greater the pool of potential malpractice claims. Insurance providers may include other factors or change their method of determining premiums, so you should inquire as to this process when you are shopping for coverage.
For a claims made policy, the risk of a claim includes not only the current year but also all the prior years of your practice (subject to any retroactive date). So as time goes by, your malpractice insurance premium covers all work that you have done since the retroactive date (determination of which is part of the policy application process). Furthermore, when a claims made policy expires, all coverage ceases, even for work you did while the policy was in force. The increased premium in subsequent policies reflects the increased exposure because it covers more years of practice.
The commonly used term tail coverage refers to what is technically known as an "extended reporting period (ERP) endorsement." The ERP endorsement simply extends the time in which someone can make a claim. The endorsement attaches to the most recent policy on which a lawyer is identified as an insured. Any lawyer leaving a firm by way of retirement or simply changing jobs should consider purchasing this type of endorsement. Many professional liability policies provide coverage as a matter of course to a "former lawyer," particularly when a lawyer leaves a firm and continues to practice elsewhere. However, lawyers should determine if they need to purchase this endorsement to ensure the work they have done in the past continues to be covered by that firm's policy.
Lawyers who are retiring also should consider purchasing the ERP endorsement. The endorsements can be purchased to provide coverage for various lengths of time. The policy language will generally discuss what different time periods can be purchased and provide an idea of what the related cost is for the endorsement. The premium generally is a calculation based on the lawyer's last annualized premium. The lengths of time may include one year, three years, six years, or unlimited (for retiring lawyers). Depending on the areas of practice, a lawyer may want to consider an unlimited endorsement. For lawyers continuing to practice, the available time periods generally are more limited and might only include options such as three years and six years.
An alternative to purchasing an ERP endorsement or tail coverage is asking an insurer to provide "prior acts coverage." Generally, this scenario exists when a lawyer leaves a job and is moving to a new firm or beginning his or her own practice. When taking that new position, the lawyer can ask the new employer to have the firm's carrier consider providing coverage for all the lawyer's prior work. Lawyers striking out on their own and starting a new practice also can ask an insurance carrier to consider providing prior acts coverage.
Liability limits for legal malpractice insurance policies are offered at many different levels. Policies typically start at $100,000 per claim, $300,000 aggregate (multiple claims in the same policy year). Roughly one-third of WILMIC's policyholders obtain that level of coverage, making it the most common. The next level of liability coverage is $250,000 per claim, $750,000 aggregate. Half of WILMIC's policyholders carry one of those two liability limits. Nearly 90 percent of WILMIC's policyholders carry liability limits of $1 million or less. Some policyholders carry limits as high as $10 to $15 million, and many carriers offer limits higher than that.
When deciding what amount of coverage is appropriate for your firm, you should start by considering the type of legal work you do, the amount of assets you want to protect, and what level of coverage gives you adequate peace of mind. If you work on multimillion dollar corporate transactions, for example, $100,000 in coverage would obviously not be enough.
The existence of a claim (allegation of a mistake and a demand for payment) is usually obvious. For example, when a client alleges that you made a mistake and demands restitution, a claim exists. The recompense sought by a client could range from return of the fees he or she paid you to payment of financial losses allegedly suffered.
Other matters may be more subtle and you may be either reluctant or unsure of whether to report them. For example, in reviewing a file, you may discover a problem of which no one else is aware. Although you might want to look the other way, you have a duty under the terms of your policy to inform your insurance carrier immediately.
Looking for malpractice carriers? Visit WisBar's Classifieds. Look for the listing of Professional Services & Experts at www.wisbar.org/classifieds.
What is a "claims made" policy?
It provides coverage for matters first made against you and reported in writing to the insurance carrier during the policy period.
Joe McCarthy, U.W. 1993, vice president of underwriting, Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., Madison.
When should I report a matter to assure coverage?
When you first become aware of a matter that a reasonably prudent lawyer might expect to be the basis of a claim, you must notify the insurance carrier in writing.
What if I can fix the problem?
Not reporting a matter during the policy period in which you became aware of it could void coverage. Under most policies, an attempt by a lawyer to unilaterally remedy a problem or simply pretend that it does not exist could jeopardize coverage.
What type of matter should I report?
The existence of a claim (allegation of a mistake and a demand for payment) is usually obvious. For example, when a client alleges that you made a mistake and demands restitution, a claim exists. The recompense sought by a client could range from a return of the fees he or she paid you to payment for financial losses allegedly suffered.
Other matters may be more subtle and you may be either reluctant or unsure of whether to report them. For example, in reviewing a file, you may discover a problem of which no one else is aware. Although you might feel like looking the other way, you have a duty under the terms of your policy to inform your insurance carrier immediately.
What if I think the allegation is frivolous?
As a condition of coverage, you have the duty to report any circumstance that could give rise to a claim, regardless of whether you believe the matter is defensible. Even if the matter is without merit, by reporting it to your insurance carrier you have done your duty and have triggered protection just in case the matter later mushrooms into a problem.
Why is timely reporting important?
Prompt reporting has several benefits to both you and your insurance carrier:
What happens if a known matter is reported after my policy expires?
Coverage is only provided if a known matter is reported, in writing, to the insurance carrier before the policy expiration date. Once your policy expires, coverage terminates, regardless of when you performed the professional services.
If, after a matter is reported to an insurance carrier, it is determined that you knew or should have known of a matter that could potentially become a claim – based on the reasonably-prudent-lawyer standard – then coverage could be contested.
Will my reporting of any matter automatically tarnish my insurance record?
Underwriters for a reputable insurance carrier will look beyond the existence of a reported claim and consider several factors.
The typical review of a claim will include consultation with the claims department to help determine:
Will a costly claim mean that I will be dropped by my insurance carrier?
In addition to reviewing the above aspects, an underwriter will also take into account:
Will my premium increase when I report a claim?
The above factors are considered and input is received from the claims department. WILMIC makes every reasonable effort to avoid premium increases. On the other hand, lawyers with no claims or less costly claims can rightfully expect to pay lower premiums than lawyers with significant claims.


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By Katie Goodman
If you're a gardener or you have a neighbor with a garden, you might be wondering what to do with all of the zucchini. It's that time of year again!
This Microwave Chocolate Zucchini Cake is the perfect late-summer dessert. It stays moist with shredded zucchini and is simple and fast to whip up. An extra bonus is that you don't even have to turn the oven on to make it, so you won't be adding any additional heat to these already-high late-August temperatures.
Note: My mom used to make this cake when I was growing up, but without the zucchini. If you don't have zucchini, substitute an additional 1/3 cup water and 1/4 cup canola oil instead. Add the water and oil to the microwaved cocoa mixture when adding the egg.
Download the Recipe PDF Right click to save the PDF to your desktop. Directions on downloading PDFs. |
1/3 cup flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup hot water
2/3 cup shredded zucchini
1 tbsp canola oil
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp softened butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2-3 tbsp milk
1 1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Step 1: Grease a 7 1/4″ round, glass (microwave safe) cake pan or a glass 8″ x 8″ square pan. Set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to sift together.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa and 1/3 cup hot water. Microwave on high for 30-40 seconds, or until hot and slightly thickened. Whisk the oil, egg, and vanilla into the mixture.
Step 4: Add the cocoa and egg mixture into the bowl with the flour, along with the shredded zucchini.
Step 5: Pour into the prepared pan. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, or until the cake starts to slightly pull away from the sides of the pan.
Step 6: Let the cake cool completely before icing.
Combine all of the listed ingredients in a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer until it has a spreadable consistency. Start with only 2 tablespoons of milk and increase if you need additional moisture.
About the Author:
Katie Goodman resides in New Mexico with her husband and two children (a 4-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl). Learning in the kitchen, eating, trying new recipes, and sharing them with friends and loved ones are some of Katie's favorite things to do. She wholeheartedly believes that part of the goodness in life is enjoying good food with good friends and family, and goodLife {eats} is a place for her to share what she finds good in the kitchen.
8 thoughts on "Recipe: Microwave Chocolate Zucchini Cake"
Wow that looks so yummy! I never would have thought there was zucchini hiding under that sprinklicious topping! Very clever!
Wow, did anyone test this? I just created an epic disaster in my microwave. It didn't bake, but rather boiled over like an angry chocolate blob monster. I'm thinking there may be details missing from this recipe.
As you can see from the photos, yes the recipe was tested. I made it in my own kitchen and served it to my family. Sorry it did not work out for you.
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OTTAWA—The Canadian Forces is scrambling for answers after one of its military helicopters dropped an inflatable life raft that smashed a hole in the roof of a home in Miami.
The Griffon search-and-rescue helicopter was on a training exercise in Florida on Wednesday and returning to a U.S. Coast Guard air station when the uninflated raft became detached, said military spokesperson David Lavallee.
The military's director of flight safety is now investigating how and why the raft detached from the helicopter, which is normally based at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario.
Local media are reporting that a woman was asleep in the home when the raft came smashing through the ceiling, and that witnesses described what sounded like an explosion.
Photos from the scene show a gaping hole in the roof of what appears to be a multi-unit residence, while the bedroom where the raft apparently fell was littered with debris.
There were conflicting reports on whether anyone was hurt by the incident.
While Lavallee said one person had sustained minor injuries, Miami-Dade Police spokesperson Det. Lee Cowart said that initial assessment had been changed and no injuries were reported.
Police were called to the scene at about 3 p.m., said Cowart, who added that the area where the incident took place is located on a common flight path between the ocean and U.S. Coast Guard station.
Cowart said police were able to make immediate contact with the Canadian air force officials, whom he described as being "really up front with us" and having sent someone to the scene.
While the Federal Aviation Administration, which is responsible for flight safety in the U.S., was aware of the incident, a spokesperson couldn't immediately say whether it would launch its own investigation.
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